Sleeper Team Named in Tarik Skubal Sweepstakes at Trade Deadline

When it comes to the potential trade of two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, the Tigers are keeping their intentions close to the vest. They won't be making any decisions until much closer to the Aug. 3rd trade deadline. 

But if it does come to that, all the usual big-spending suspects have been projected as a Skubal destination: The LA Dodgers, NY Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays among them. 

But Bob Nightengale of USA Today tells us, via reports from MLB executives, that there's another contender we should all be keeping our eye on:

The sleeper in the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes, several executives predict, will be Atlanta.

The cost could be two of their top-10 prospects, including one who’s in the top 100 overall.

The Braves have two players in the Top 100 prospects, per MLB Pipeline: Cam Caminiti, a left-hander who was drafted in the first round by Atlanta in 2024. 

Right-hander JR Ritchie is currently up with the big club, having made his first six big league starts (seven appearances) in recent weeks. 

Braves could target Skubal as their pitching staff continues to be riddled with injuries

With Spencer Strider going down again for several weeks, the Braves' starting staff could really use some help. They will certainly be looking to add at the deadline, and there's no better target to shoot for than the two-time Cy guy. 

Skubal is set to be a free agent after the season, however, and will likely be seeking a contract in the $400 million range. Whether the Braves would be willing to pony up that kind of cash remains to be seen. The previously mentioned teams, the Dodgers, Yankees & Jays, would likely be more than happy to open the vault for Skubal.